March 18, 2008
Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai
The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGP), provided funds amounting to 3,528,900 baht for a project entitled "Construction of a Training Center on the Recycling of Household Waste in Sankampaeng Sub-District,Chiang Mai Province", and on March 17, 2008, Mrs. Junko Yokota,Consul-General of Japan in Chiang Mai, Mr. Chuchad Keelapaeng, Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai Province, and Ms.Supanimit Worakitti, Mayor of Sankamphaeng Sub-District Municipality of Chiang Mai were present at the inauguration ceremony.
In Thailand, due to rapid economic development, an increasing amount of waste and the question of its disposal have arisen. In Sankamphaeng sub-district the growing amount of household waste and its illegal dumping has become a problem. Furthermore, most of the farmers in Sankamphaeng sub-district have been using chemical fertilizers in their farming, but are now becoming more concerned about the negative impact of the use of chemicals on the agricultural environment, such as deterioration in farming soil.
Taking account of the above situation, the Sankamphaeng Sub-District Municipality has started promoting the establishment of a resource recycling community. However, the Municipality had no facilities for these residents, who had little knowledge and experience of the recycling of household waste, to learn good practices and acquire the relevant knowledge and technology.
In response to a request from the Sankamphaeng Sub-District Municipality, the Government of Japan bore the cost of construction of a training center on household waste and the purchase of relevant equipment. In this training center, compost will be produced from kitchen garbage and distributed to farmers. Education on the separation and recycling of household waste will also be carried out in order to establish a resource recycling community.
It is expected that, through this assistance, more local residents will become aware of the need for recycling, resulting in a reduction of household waste. Furthermore, the production of compost from kitchen garbage will promote organic farming and encourage local residents towards a self-reliant lifestyle.
